Method of rearranging objects in a game matrix

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a variety of methods for rearranging symbols in a symbol matrix by displaying the rotation of symbols around a common point. In a preferred embodiment, each symbol rotates along its own path around a common point located in the center of the matrix. In another preferred embodiment, the common point around which the symbols rotate is represented by an object formed by the symbol set, such that all symbols used in the game are component parts of the common point.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights.

FIELD OF INVENTION

In general, the present invention relates to new methods of rearranging objects in a game matrix and, more specifically, rearranging symbols in the symbol matrix of a slot machine game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To play a conventional slot machine, the player deposits money into the machine, sets the wager, and spins the reels. When the reels stop spinning, the player collects credits for winning symbol combinations displayed on the reels, if any, according to a predetermined pay schedule.

While the appearance of conventional slot machines may change from one theme, such as space aliens, to another, such as farm animals, the underlying methods of play—setting the wagering, spinning the reels, collecting awards—remain the same from machine to machine.

The use of reel strips to rearrange symbols is one example of the similar methods used by conventional slot machines. In a conventional slot machine, symbols are rearranged by three or more reel strips which rotate and then stop to display randomly rearranged symbols in the symbol matrix.

The many similarities of conventional slot machines, such as the rotation of symbols on reel strips, limit the value of the slot machine games for players, casinos, and manufacturers. Players tire of the same methods of play; casinos cannot distinguish their games from other casinos; and manufacturers cannot distinguish their products from other manufacturers.

New methods of playing slot machines, therefore, are required to provide players, casinos, and manufacturers with new slot machine games, including new ways of rearranging symbols in the symbol matrix.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures illustrate various stages of the preferred embodiments of the present invention:

FIG. 1 shows symbols displayed in their starting positions of the symbol matrix.

FIG. 2 shows symbols beginning to rotate around a common point.

FIG. 3 shows symbols at approximately 90-degrees along their rotational paths.

FIG. 4 shows symbols at approximately 180-degrees along their rotational paths, with the symbols obscured by the common point.

FIG. 5 shows symbols emerging from behind the common point.

FIG. 6 shows symbols at approximately 270-degrees along their rotational paths.

FIG. 7 shows symbols returning to their starting positions of the symbol matrix.

FIG. 8 shows symbols displayed in their starting positions of the symbol matrix, with said symbols removed from the symbol set comprising the common point.

FIG. 9 shows symbols beginning to rotate around a common point, with said symbols removed from the symbol set comprising the common point.

FIG. 10 shows symbols at approximately 180-degrees along their rotational paths at which point said symbols rejoin the symbol set comprising the common point.

FIG. 11 shows symbols emerging from behind the common point, with said symbols removed from the symbol set comprising the common point.

FIG. 12 shows symbols returning to their starting positions of the symbol matrix, with said symbols removed from the symbol set comprising the common point.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a variety of methods for rearranging symbols in a symbol matrix by displaying the rotation of individual symbols around a common point.

In a preferred embodiment, each symbol rotates along its own path around a common point located in the center of the matrix, such that the rotational paths of the symbols resemble the orbital paths of the planets in our solar system around the sun.

In FIGS. 1 to 7, symbols appearing on a video display screen rotate in simulated three-dimensional space along 360-degree paths around the common point, as follows:

In FIG. 1, fifteen symbols are displayed in the fifteen symbol positions of the symbol matrix. In FIG. 2, all fifteen symbols begin to travel along their rotational paths by moving to the right and receding (or appearing to move away from the player). The symbol positions in the symbol matrix remain vacant until symbols return.

In FIG. 3, the symbols stop receding towards the right and begin receding to the left once symbols reach approximately 90-degrees from their starting positions. Shortly thereafter, the symbols begin to disappear behind the common point, as shown in FIG. 4.

While the common point obscures the symbols, each symbol is replaced by a randomly selected symbol from the same, common symbol set. Alternatively, the replacement symbols may be selected from symbol sets specific to positions of the symbol matrix, from symbol sets specific to rotational paths around the common point, or from any other symbol set. The replacement symbols then complete the remainder of the original symbols' rotational paths.

At approximately 180-degrees from their starting positions in the symbol matrix, the symbols stop receding and begin emerging (or appears to move closer to the player) for the remainder of their rotational paths.

Shortly before reaching 270-degrees from their starting positions, the symbols appear from behind the common point, as shown in FIG. 5. Upon reaching 270-degrees from their starting positions, the symbols stop emerging towards the left and begin emerging to the right at approximately, as shown in FIG. 6.

Upon completing their 360-degree rotational paths, the symbols return to fill the fifteen positions in the symbol matrix, as shown in FIG. 7. Following completion of all symbol rotations, awards issue for winning symbol combinations, if any, formed in the symbol matrix.

In another preferred embodiment, the common point around which the symbols rotate is represented by an object formed by the symbol set, such that all symbols used in the game are component parts of the common point.

The common point rotates continuously around its own vertical axis at a faster rate than the symbols rotate around the common point, such that the symbols resemble satellites rotating around a planet which is rotating around its own axis. Alternatively, the center point may rotate at any rate around an axis of any inclination.

FIGS. 8 to 14 show a sphere acting as a common point, with the sphere comprised of symbols displayed on rectangular blocks, as follows:

The common point is comprised of N symbols, such that N is equal to or greater than the number of symbol positions in the symbol matrix. In FIG. 8, fifteen symbols are removed from the common point and displayed in the fifteen symbol positions of the symbol matrix.

In FIG. 9, the symbols in the symbol matrix begin to travel along their rotational paths by moving to the right and receding (or appearing to move away from the player). The symbol positions in the symbol matrix remain vacant until symbols return.

Between 90-degrees and 270-degrees from their starting positions, the symbols re-join the common point by filling the fifteen vacant positions in the common point, as shown in FIG. 10.

After the symbols have re-joined the common point, fifteen replacement symbols randomly detach from the common point, with each symbol detaching at approximately 270-degrees along the rotation path, as shown in FIG. 11. Alternatively, symbols may detach from the common point according to an orbital dynamic algorithm that takes into account the rotation kinetics of the common point or detach according to any other suitable method.

In FIG. 12, the replacement symbols return to fill the fifteen positions of the symbol matrix after completing their 360-degree rotational paths. Following completion of all symbol rotations, awards issue for winning symbol combinations, if any, formed in the symbol matrix.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In addition to the methods described in the preferred embodiments above, the present invention may be modified in one or more aspects including but not limited to the following alternative embodiments:

In one embodiment, the present invention may rearrange symbols arranged in a symbol matrix of any size, such as a symbol matrix with 4 rows and 6 columns.

In another embodiment, the present invention may rearrange symbols displayed in any number of symbol positions, such as symbol matrices with 18 or 22 positions.

In another embodiment, the present invention may rotate symbols around any number of common points. For example, symbols may rotate around 2 different points, with 7 of 15 symbols rotating around one common point and the remaining 8 symbols rotating around the other common point.

In another embodiment, the present invention may rotate symbols using any number of paths. For example, symbols may rotate along 3 paths, with top row symbols following a first path, middle row symbols a second path, and bottom row symbols a third path.

In another embodiment, the present invention may rotate symbols in any direction. For example, some symbols may rotate clockwise and other symbols may rotate counter-clockwise.

In another embodiment, the present invention may rotate symbols any number of times. For example, some symbols may rotate three times or 1080-degrees from their starting position in the symbol matrix.

In another embodiment, the present invention may replace symbols at any point during the rotational path. For example, symbols may be replaced one-quarter or 90-degrees through the rotational path.

In another embodiment, the present invention may replace symbols any number of times during the rotational path. For example, a symbol may be replaced 3 times during its path.

In another embodiment, the present invention may return symbols to any position in the symbol matrix following the completion of the symbol's rotational path. For example, the symbol in position 1 returns to position 8 upon completing its rotational path.

In another embodiment, the present invention may return any number of symbols to the symbol matrix following the completion of the symbols' rotational paths. For example, fifteen symbols start rotational paths, but only 12 of the symbols complete their paths and return to the symbol matrix.

In another embodiment, the present invention uses three-dimensional symbols and/or rotational points. For example, symbols shaped as objects have width, height and depth features.

In another embodiment, the present invention may be operated using any display method, such as video display screens, 3-D display screens, holographic projection, or other method that allows the player to view the rotational paths of the symbols.

In another embodiment, the present invention may be used as a feature for a sub-set of symbols displayed in the symbol matrix, such as 10 of the 15 symbols in the symbol matrix.

In another embodiment, the present invention may be used as an optional game feature, such as a feature that is purchased with a supplemental wager by the player.

In another embodiment, the present invention may be used as a bonus game feature, such as a feature of a free-spin bonus game.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the descriptions of the preferred and alternative embodiments. The present invention, however, is not limited to these particular embodiments, as the invention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. For example, new features may be added to an existing embodiment or features from two or more embodiments may be combined to produce a new embodiment. Further, features mentioned in any embodiment may be interchanged with similar features not mentioned that perform the same or similar functions. And, finally, the phraseology and terminology used to explain the embodiments are only descriptive and should not be regarded as limiting. The patent application and claims, therefore, seek to cover all features and advantages that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A method of playing a game using a symbol matrix formed by at least one row intersecting with a plurality of columns, with the rows and columns including a plurality of symbols, comprising: a) placing a wager to participate in the game; b) randomly rearranging the plurality of symbols by: 1) displaying the rotation of said symbols around a common point; and 2) replacing said symbols during their rotation around the common point. c) displaying the rearranged symbols in the symbol matrix following the completion of the symbols' rotation around the common point; and d) issuing awards for winning symbol combinations appearing in the symbol matrix.
 2. A method of playing a game using a symbol matrix formed by at least one row intersecting with a plurality of columns, with the rows and columns including a plurality of symbols, comprising: a) placing a wager upon one or more symbol positions in the symbol matrix; b) randomly rearranging the plurality of symbols by: 1) displaying the rotation of said symbols around a common point comprised of the entire symbol set; and 2) replacing said symbols during their rotation around the common point using symbols from the common point. c) displaying the rearranged symbols in the symbol matrix following the completion of the symbols' rotation around the common point; and d) issuing awards for winning symbol combinations appearing in the symbol matrix. 